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Job 36:32
32 With clouds [kaph] he covereth [kacah] the light ['owr]; and commandeth [tsavah] it not to shine by the cloud that cometh betwixt [paga`]. KJV-Interlinear
32 'He covers His hands with the lightning, And commands it to strike the mark. NASB
Think of the many things that can occur in life, things over which it is virtually impossible to control. Lightning certainly should be on that list.
We cannot control the weather, and certainly cannot control the electrical charges that occur in the atmosphere. And this is the point that Elihu makes.
From his perspective, in ancient times, lightning was probably one of the more dramatic, beautiful, and violent events that could be observed and observed frequently. That is probably true even today.
You cannot catch lightning, or even predict it. It occurs so fast and extends over such great distances, and usually comes with some pretty loud thunder, that control over it can easily be presumed to be impossible.
And yet, Elihu teaches us that the control over lightning is easily within Gods domain. God holds lightning in the palm of His hand (He holds it in the clouds), as one would a ball, and throws it with great accuracy toward its intended target. God holds it as one would hold an attack dog, pointing it toward its intended target and releases it at the proper time, for maximum effect.
Such is the nature and meaning of this verse.
Lightning is unpredictable, quick, and powerful. Lightning is something that man cannot possibly control. However God has no problem supervising all of lightning's attributes and paths.
Lightning can be used to impose judgment (cursing), and it can be used to cleanse the air (blessing). Lightning can be used to demonstrate awesome power as well as beauty.
Lightning is a good illustration of Gods power in its control, and it is also a good example of obedience to Gods will. Lightning goes nowhere except as God wills.
And lightning is something that everyone can relate to, no matter where you are on the planet, no matter when you have, or will, live in history. Likewise, knowledge of God is something of which everyone has easy access, with no possibility of an excuse.
